Long Strand (Castlefreke)
About Long Strand (Castlefreke)
Long Strand is a wild, kilometres-long Atlantic dune beach stretched between Clonakilty and Rosscarbery, famous for its big westerly sunsets and its sheer sense of space. It is a magnificent beach to walk, but it is not a swimming beach: strong rip currents and a steep, dumping shorebreak make bathing genuinely dangerous, and it should be treated as a walking and experienced-surfers-only strand. Behind the sand, the Castlefreke woods offer an 8.3km looped walk through the old Castlefreke estate, and the dune system is rich in coastal wildlife. Come for the long walk, the surf-watching and the sunsets — but leave the swimming to the sheltered beaches nearby.
Get directions to the car park
This searches for the named car park on Google Maps — a place-name match, not yet a GPS-confirmed pin.
📍 Find Long Strand car park, Castlefreke, Cork on Google Maps
Named from official sources but not yet pin-verified — always confirm on arrival.
Activity suitability
- Swimming — Not advised
- Surfing — Advanced
- Walking — Long walk (3km+)
- Lifeguard (summer) — No
Facilities
- Car park — Free
- Lifeguard — No
- Not yet confirmed: Toilets, Disabled access, Shower, Café nearby
Facilities confirmed from Cork County Council and Fáilte Ireland.
Water quality
Where to stay nearby
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